Disney to buy Marvel Entertainment

[BillsFanGabe]

I dont know if anyone else has thought about this or think that it is a waste of time but I am going to write a letter to Disney or Iger about this. This move by Disney is very un-Disney like, it just makes no sense, and makes me feel sick to my stomach. Why ruin the rich history and legacy of Walt Disney and The Walt Disney Company, very very disapointed by Disney right now, a very sad day in the world of Disney.

 

[JWG]

Maybe it just comes down to the fact that it is cheaper to buy marvel then to create a new park or attraction(s) to battle harry potter, what better way to beat your competior then to buy up all their licence rights buy buying the company that owns them.

Checkmate universal... I bet you never saw this one coming.

Because it has been mentioned in the past 5 posts, Universal isn't losing their rights to Marvel (at least not their existing attractions) in Orlando. They supposedly have a perpetual licensing agreement for their existing attractions.

Don't expect to see Marvel in Disney Orlando anytime soon, similar to the lack of muppets in the parks for quite some time.

Good opportunity for DL though. Also, I can guarantee the $4b acquisition was not based theme park opportunities (solely), but on the overall opportunity of Marvel story lines, movies (when agreements expire), books, etc.

 

[BillsFanGabe]

Walt Disney will always be my inspiration and my hero but being a fan of the Walt Disney Company, i dont know i just dont know. I bet that Walt is rolling over in his grave right now.

 

[SirGoofy]

Walt Disney will always be my inspiration and my hero but being a fan of the Walt Disney Company, i dont know i just dont know. I bet that Walt is rolling over in his grave right now.

Why?

 

[Kamikaze]

Because it has been mentioned in the past 5 posts, Universal isn't losing their rights to Marvel (at least not their existing attractions) in Orlando. They supposedly have a perpetual licensing agreement for their existing attractions.

Don't expect to see Marvel in Disney Orlando anytime soon, similar to the lack of muppets in the parks for quite some time.

Good opportunity for DL though. Also, I can guarantee the $4b acquisition was not based theme park opportunities (solely), but on the overall opportunity of Marvel story lines, movies (when agreements expire), books, etc.

There is no such thing as a perpetual agreement. Especially when one of those parties of the agreement just got purchased.

 

[_Scar]

To be fair, Stan Lee is sorta like the Walt Disney to many comic book fans across the world.

Disney is now the one who approves the rides for Marvel Superhero Island.... they'll let that island get so outdated that they must retheme. Wow, Disney has got balls. I LOVE it, but I don't like how one day one of my favorite rides will be no longer....


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[jt04]

I agree. They just don't go together. It's like dipping oreos in miracle whip.

I am waiting to see how this plays out, but I'm pretty iffy on the whole thing.

I am really tired I just got back from Disney World so Im not gonna say alot even though I can so Im gonna keep it short and simple, Marvel & Disney hmmmm.......I AM AGAINST IT 100% OF THE WAY! IS DISNEY TURNING INTO SIX FLAGS! YUCK THIS IS VERY DISTURBING! JUST RUINED MY NITE!

I think there's more to this deal than simply fighting Universal, but even if that does enter into the equation, isn't it sad that Disney's content to buy Marvel instead of building new attractions at WDW? Seems like the guests are getting screwed yet again.

I dont know if anyone else has thought about this or think that it is a waste of time but I am going to write a letter to Disney or Iger about this. This move by Disney is very un-Disney like, it just makes no sense, and makes me feel sick to my stomach. Why ruin the rich history and legacy of Walt Disney and The Walt Disney Company, very very disapointed by Disney right now, a very sad day in the world of Disney.

Walt Disney will always be my inspiration and my hero but being a fan of the Walt Disney Company, i dont know i just dont know. I bet that Walt is rolling over in his grave right now.

Stan Lee said today and I quote, "this is a marriage made in heaven".

He is very happy about the deal but I guess this new sect of doomers knows better than him.

It's gonna be fine. Well for most folks anyway.

 

[DizneePhan14]

I don't want Marvel in my Disney parks!

and I LOVE the Marvel characters.

I agree although marvel is good its not Disney and never will be its to weird to have superheroes at Disney. The themeing doesn't fit as well.

 

[docandsix]

What ever happened to the Kentucky Fried Chicken Slogan?

"We do one thing, and we do it right," as the Colonel used to say.

I guess I agree with those chiming in who think that Disney is in danger of spreading itself too thin. But on the other hand, perhaps Disney can utilize the Marvel characters as thoroughly and usefully as they have used the Muppets.

 

[DizneePhan14]

Idk, utilizing marvel as a resort can definately bring in a lot of revenue, but to me it just doesnt fit especially not in the parks.

 

[jt04]

"We do one thing, and we do it right," as the Colonel used to say.

I guess I agree with those chiming in who think that Disney is in danger of spreading itself too thin. But on the other hand, perhaps Disney can utilize the Marvel characters as thoroughly and usefully as they have used the Muppets.

As someone mentioned earlier, Disney is just now getting the ability to work with Muppet franchise due to pre-existing agreements. And they are as seen a couple weeks ago at DL. That franchise is just getting started for Disney.

As for Marvel, well that is almost too much to grasp. And the implications will extend for decades.

9 Days to D23. And I can't even guess what is next!

 

[ral8026]

I Just don't understand why all the negative posts about buying Marvel. It works VERY well for DHS, Cali Ad and DSParis(Parks that have a Movie production theme). Some were upset with the idea of Pixar taking over now it's Marvel. Some of you guys say superheroes don't fit into THE DISNEY style well then tell me HOW does Star Wars or Indiana Jones or Twilight Zone(TOT) or Power Rangers (they've been at DHS for many years now)or the Car stunt show fit in.Maybe their all about Movies and Television and what goes into making them. The last time I looked Marvel is making MOVIES about Superheroes. To quote Stan Lee,"nufff said".

 

[David Durica]

As a long-time nerd, it boggles the mind to think of what _might_ be included. Marvel's had Transformers, GI Joe, Shogun Warriors...

Allow me to dream for a moment of a Death's Head meet-and-greet in England at World Showcase. UNF UNF UNF. Okay, have cleaned up, yes?

This is roughly equivalent to Disney buying Konami, Square-Enix, and Capcom at once.

And wow (even as an admitted HP fan), what a way to take the wind out of IoA. I can practically imagine Cyber-Eisner showing up on the Uni board room's screen announcing HOW ARE YOU GENTLEMEN.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Wow, I find this news very interesting. I have been waiting all day to post about it.
Disney explained that acquiring the Marvel series was to appeal to the young male crowd. I thought this was one of the reasons of pushing Stitch and Pixar throughout the parks. Refocusing the Pirates theme towards the male audience. Granted, Super Heros have had a strong following, but I hope Disney is very smart about this and doesn't ruin a brand.
I don't feel that Disney has done justice to the Muppets when that was acquired.

The young male crowd they would be appealing to with this acquisition is not the same demographic that is targeted with Stitch. They're looking at teenagers and young adults with this acquisition. As for Disney doing justice to the Muppets since acquiring them - they were bound by existing contracts. Only now are they able to really start using the Muppets the way they want them. That's where the Disneyland promotion is coming from, and that's where the Jason Segel movie is coming from. Marvel will be similar in this capacity - we probably won't see Disney doing what they want with Marvel for several years.

But Disney can't just sit back and let the money flow. It takes more than having a popular brand to keeping it a cash cow. Their acquisitions have not been the best. Muppets fizzled, ABC suffered, Power Rangers crapped out, there have been many areas that the Disney touch hasn't been golden.
Granted, they have marketed and branded successfully to the tween crowd and girls, but those have been in house creations.

I do have to say that after Uni swept Harry Potter out from under Disney, this is a good score for Disney. I'm not sure I am interested in Dreamworks coming to Disney, but Speilberg is a great asset.

Muppets fizzled because the existing company didn't have good concepts in the pipeline. Now that Disney is gaining more and more control over the Muppets (as prior contracts expire), they are able to do what they want with them. When mergers of this size occur the larger company typically sees a drop in stock price for a period of time, and then it rises up above the level at the time of the merger (provided things don't go wrong, which is a big if).

Marvel Superhero Island is either going to become Cybertron or Gotham City within the next 5-10 years.

It will only change if Universal wants this to happen. Because the terms of the existing contract aren't public, and because both Iger, and the heads of Universal have indicated that existing contracts have to and will be honored - I'm not convinced Marvel Superhero Island is going anywhere. If it is, it will be after The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is proven to be a land that can anchor the park. At which point, you may see Universal reconsider the theming of Marvel Superhero Island. The problem from Universal is that right now it presumably has a good deal for the licensing of these characters and the existing attractions are successful for them. Although they would presumably be paying Disney for the continued use of these licenses, in doing so Universal is also keeping Disney from using this characters in their parks due to the terms in the previous contract. I can only assume this has value to Universal.

 

[MonsterManX]

Hm..Maybe this is a BOLD statement but whatever.

I feel like at the moment the boy demographic fanbase only has 2 real franchises to cling to as where the girls have like 1000 (an exageration of course). Think about this if you will.

Toy Story and Pirates are the only 2 at the moment that stand out. Now I'm sure a lot of you will argue with me that Stich or someone such as Aladdin would be a boy crowd pleaser. But I don't think anything can beat the look of a childs face seeing Buzz or Woody , or Pirates in general.

All those old male characters that used to rock (Aladin , Hercules , etc) I doubt a lot of these little kids know who they are half of the time (depending of if they've seen the movies or not...I hope so). So maybe buying Marvel might have been the ultimate move to grab boys and older teens in to the market. I work in a supermarket and the only 2 things I ever see little boys wear on their shirts are super heroes or mickey mouse. Just think of how awesome it would be to combine both a Mickey aspect and a Spiderman aspect in the same atmosphere. Freakin incredible. of course yeah it could possibly ruin a feel of the disney atmosphere. But let's be realists here. It couldn't if it tried. Theres like 4-5 Parks (if we count downtown) in WDW.

Hell if they really could somehow...create another park...well come on now. That's just amazing.

I for one enjoy this. As long as they don't ruin the comics nor the childish enjoyment of a hero (seriously if i see Deadpool . I'm probally gonna laugh my butt off).

 

[BigB911]

OK...I know I'm chiming in late here, and I am no Disney expert, but I think something larger is in the works here. I'm also really not trying to stir the whole "5th gate" argument again, but...

Disney recently acquired Dreamworks, right? And now Marvel; both of which Universal relied heavily on. So now that Disney owns these two entities, what's next? There are those that want a 5th gate/Beastly Kingdom/Whatever...well, here's one that's already built. Change some signage and there you are.

I could be looking at this the wrong way, and maybe someone has already mentioned it, but could Disney be making a play at taking over Universal, piece by piece? That certainly would give Disney their 5th gate, all ready to go. Just add a place for the Disney busses to stop.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Oh cut the 5th gate rumours! The existing parks are far more in need of TLC and some new additional attractions before any ground is broken on a 5th gate

 

[majortom1981]

hmm

Keep in mind SIX FLAGS has the dc comic rights so universal cant just use dc comics characters because they will have to fight six flags for them.

Universal might be in a bad position since disney now owns marvel and six flags has the dc comics rights.

 

[jonnyc]

Turning Spider-Man into Batman would also make a lot of sense.

Especially if it was based on The Dark Knight :drevil:. Is there any substance to an eventual potential DC replacement for MSI or is this just purely wishful thinking?

Except that DC characters are in Six Flags... People say Universal is Six Flags now.. Imagine if that were to happen???

People who say that usually have no expierance of Universal though. Even if any incorpartion of DC resulted in the greatest attraction in the history of time, these people would still say this.

I have not doubt that if Disney put some effort into it Marvel incorpation in WDW could be amazing. I'm just concerned that I could lose one of my favourite theme park lands.

 

[MousDad]

Jim Hill quoted an interesting excerpt from the Iger conference call:

"As part of today’s investors teleconference, Iger did mention that John Lasseter – prior to Disney formalizing this acquisition deal – sat down with the creative team at Marvel. And as John brought up the idea of Pixar making movies that featured the Marvel characters and the folks at Marvel brought up the idea of producing comic books that featured the Pixar characters, it was up to the Disney attorney in the room to put the brakes on. In essence say “Slow down. We haven’t actually made this deal yet.""

So will the Pixar/Marvel connection be the first manifestation of this deal?

Incredibles comic series, anyone?